Numerical simulation of the spatial distribution of mean residence time incomplex flows through porous media

In this paper, a numerical method for obtaining theoretical predictions of mean residence time spatial distributions in flows through porous media is presented. The simulation sequence consists in solving first continuity and momentum conservation equations, possibly coupled with turbulence quantiti es transport equations, using the finite volume method. Once the flow confi guration is calculated, the simulation consists in solving the additional t ransport equation of a passive scalar, the local mean age of the fluid, whi ch is the average time that takes a fluid particle to reach any point of a domain from a supply inlet. The result obtained is a spatial distribution o f the local mean age of the fluid, which may be displayed as isocontours in the space domain considered.